CWA 23 was published in June 2007 and contained articles on the nature of what an Egyptian harem was and what its job was in light of new findings at Gurob, daily bojects recovered from the Punic town of Kerkouane and what they have in common with Greek finds, what to expect when excavating the site of Lawrence of Arabia's war: the Western front in Jordan, an extract from a new guide to Imperial era Rome, how the Spanish region of Galicia is working to improve its local heritage and finally a preview of the British Museum's forthcoming exhibition on early colonial sketches of indigenous Americans.

Egypt

As far back as Ancient Egyptian texts extend, the royal harem has been mentioned as an important economic institution, however the actual role of the harem and what their private quarters looked like could only be speculated. Now, however, Egyptologists believe they have found a harem intact at Gurob. A collection of pottery and some epigraphical evidence is shedding light on the duties of this little known clique in Ancient Egypt.

A stele of a "deputy of the harem" shows that there was a role for men in these bureaucratic bodies.

Vitrified glass is evidence of the harem as a place for craft production not just administration.

Tunisia

The town of Kerkouane, on the North Coast of Cap Bon, allows a rare inside into the Punic way of life before Rome conquered Carthage. The town seems to have bee founded in the 6th century BC which gives it close links to archaic Greece, as can be seen in some of the artefacts. While Rome has this in common with Kerkouane, there are many differences in the style and evidence of the way of life.

Many artefacts show a culture quite different to other Mediterranean civilisations.

This 6th century BC black figure Greek vase depicts a scene from Homer’s Odyssey, evidence of a shared heritage with Greece and to a certain extent Rome.

Jordan

The archaeology of the First World War have been extensively explored in Northern France and Belgium, but the Western Front that was Lawrence of Arabia’s war is far less exposed. Indeed it is hard to predict how the effects of the war will be seen in the landscape. It may have been for this reason that the dig that we launched in this magazine was taken up so enthusiastically by our readers, consequently the majority of the dig volunteers being CWA readers. Now we hear reports back following the first season, with promising news.

An aerial photograph showing one of the main western front trenches in Southern Jordan, note the communications trenches.

Fortified station buildings at Wadi Rutm.

Rome

Romanist Philip Matyszak’s new book Ancient Rome on Five Denarii A Day gives an in depth and often very amusing insight into how one would conduct themselves when visiting Ancient Rome. In this extract find out what to do with a Trojan Pig, why you might not want to dig in a Roman garden and the trials and tribulations of using the public toilets!

This relief carving shows a bakery stall in central Rome, bread played a central role in the daily life of Romans.

Spain

Despite its harsh, Atlantic coastal position, Galicia is concentrating its efforts on restoration and preservation its archaeological site. The effect of the control of regional governments, Xantas, can be seen in the transformation of the sites which has revealed a link to Celtic people that may explain the unique character of this region. America

The British Museum’s latest exhibition is of John White paintings from the 16th century, which reveal early colonial views of indigenous Americans. As a founder settler of America and governor of the colonials White works and descriptions of flora and fauna allowed the first successful settlement to be established – albeit after his lifetime.

Some of White’s pictures show the indigenous American villages as being linear in formation…